Before U.S. Route 40 as we know it existed, the road came through downtown Elkton. Old photos of the Main Street and North Street area show street signs for U.S. 40. Since the traffic flowed through town, travelers had to find places to stay overnight. Several hotels existed downtown. One of the best known was the Elkton Hotel.
The Elkton Hotel was on the southwest corner of West Main Street and Bow Street. It was originally called the Falls Hotel when William Falls bought it in 1863.
The restaurant in the hotel was called The Green Lantern and had a copper lamp hanging in front of it. The Cecil Whig regularly published lists of people who registered at the hotel.
Today, the building does not exist. It was torn down when Main Street and Bow Street were connected.
Sources: Cecil County History Facebook page and vertical files at the Historical Society of Cecil County
